Schools suffering under fundraising pressure

Dawn Renton

Schools in Scotland need to raise more money now than they did five years ago according to the latest research.

The survey of over 250 schools and PTAs carried out by easyfundraising.org.uk asked schools and PTAs about their fundraising habits and requirements, highlighting the growing pressures faced when it comes to raising essential funds.

School trips were the most essential reason for fundraising in Scotland, 56 per cent raise funds for technology such as iPads, and 38 per cent need funding for computers.

With 75 per cent of schools and PTAs in Scotland needing to raise between £1,000 and £10,000 annually, the necessity for fundraising has never been more important. But with the survey differentiating between schools with and without PTAs, schools with PTAs perform much better in reaching their annual targets than those without. One in every three schools operating without a PTA falls short of their fundraising goal, with only one school without a PTA exceeded their annual target.

Caroline Adams, head of marketing at easyfundraising.org.uk, said: “The role of the PTA is crucial in helping schools provide vital resources. When schools miss their fundraising targets, there’s added pressure to exceed those targets in following years, something that can be felt across parents and staff alike.”

Despite having growing fundraising targets to meet, 69 per cent of schools believe it is now harder to raise funds than five years ago. Both schools and PTAs cite less disposable income from parents and a lack of engagement with the school as reasons for this. They also identified a growing feeling of resentment towards fundraising on all sides, with the majority asking for donations at least once a term.

Caroline added: “Many schools and PTAs are in a catch 22 situation – they know parents are tired of being asked for money, but they have to do it all the same.”